Science Vs Arts

As I have briefly mentioned in my first post, creativity is not a linear concept, it does not solely apply to those with a talent for Art or Music, etc. This post will discuss the links between creativity and science.

To begin, let’s think of our initial thoughts on the Arts and Science as separate entities, what our own schooling has led us to understand about these subjects. Science – an academic subject for those who are considered highly intelligent. The Arts – non academic, creative, for the gifted musicians and exceptional painters.

C.P Snow was both a writer and a scientist in the mid 20^th century. In 1959, he gave a speech called “The Two Cultures” regarding his experience and involvement with two very different groups of people. He believed that the intellectual life of the whole of Western society is continuously being split into two sides. On one side, you have the writers, the literary intellectuals, on the other, you have the scientists. Snow’s aim was to bring the two sides together, to help them understand their similarities, as their differences in opinion of each other were hindering the Western world. Snow admits that education alone cannot do this, however he acknowledges the importance of educations role in bridging the gap. (C. P Snow, 1959)

It seems his call, to reform education to accommodate both sides as equal, went unheeded.

An article written by Ken Stange in 2010, he begins by stating that the term ‘creative’ is now applicable to both artists and scientists alike, however, Snow’s concept of “The Two Cultures” is still in existence. There is still a divide and people on both sides simply refuse to believe that there is any link, questioning the notion that scientists can be dubbed as creative.

I would be wrong to suggest the two are inextricably linked, as Stange points out, they differ in methodology and evaluation of accomplishment, but they do share characteristics.

The article moves on to describe examples of seriousness in Art and playfulness in Science, contrary to the common misconception of Art as playful and pointless and science as serious and methodological.

It is not only Art that can be experimental and explorative; Science does not always have a specific goal in mind. After all, Penicillin was discovered by accident. Also, the cause and consequently, the treatment for diabetes were accidental, both examples occurred, not due to careful planning and hours if research, but by accident and experimentation, with no precise, clear-cut outcome in mind.

Stange concludes his article by explaining that the creative foundations of both art and science are an extension of childhood play. It is not until maturity that this ‘play’ becomes important, with the presence of peer and self evaluation. (K, Stange. 2010)